ehshell.exe errors

Question

I have a Dimension E510, unpacked it and setup based on the instructions provided.  However, everytime I try to run Media Center, I keep getting an ehshell.exe error message.  Each time the specifics of the error detail are different.   I called Dell support who said it was a software problem and not covered under warranty.  Microsoft says to contact Dell.   Please help as I'm getting frustrated that I cannot get Media Center to run direct from Dell.

joe53 · Answer

Hi: Does this describe your problem: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;820121

rib742 · Answer

Yes, but then microsoft indicates no updates found for my computer.

joe53 · Answer

It would really help if you could give an exact quote of the error message.

rib742 · Answer

Also, I just realized that when I ordered the PC it indicated Windows XP Media Center 2005 Edition.  However, when I look at the properties of My Computer, it indicates Windows XP Media Center Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2.  Could this be the problem?

rib742 · Answer

Error window title: ehshell.exe - Common Language Runtime Debugging Services   Error message text: Application has generated an exception that coulf not be handled.   Process id=0xf8x (3980, Thread id=0xf90 (3984)   Click OK to terminate the application. Click CANCEL to debug the application.   -------     Each time the Process id and Thread id info is different.  When I click OK, a crash report is generated.

joe53 · Answer

@rib742 wrote:

Also, I just realized that when I ordered the PC it indicated Windows XP Media Center 2005 Edition. However, when I look at the properties of My Computer, it indicates Windows XP Media Center Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2. Could this be the problem?

No, that is OK. All MCE 2005's say the same thing in properties (Version 2002). No idea why. To verify that you have the correct version, click Start>Run> and type WINVER in the box., then click OK. It should indicate version 5.1 (build 2600) or later.

The numbers in your error message seem to reference a problem with Microsoft's .NET Framework, which you must have installed for MCE to work. If you have a version of this installed, it should show up in your Control Panel> Add or remove programs list. If none is present, you should download the latest version (2.0, I believe) from the MS Update site. If it is present, consider uninstalling it and downloading a fresh copy.

CTskydiver · Answer

The reason is says 'Version 2002' is because the core operating system is Windows XP Professional, and System Properties is reporting the OS version, not the MCE add-on version. To see which version of MCE you have, open the Media Center application and check your version in there. It will say '2005'.

rib742 · Answer

I had .NET v1.1 so I downloaded the 2.0 bundle pack from Microsoft and still nothing.

CTskydiver · Answer

Huh? What's .net got to do with it?

rib742 · Answer

Joe53 thought that the error messages text might reference framework.

joe53 · Answer

rib742:

Okay, that wasn't the problem.

i have also seen where the problem you describe was due to corrupt downloads of Windows MCE 2005 updates from the MS Update site, and was solved by uninstalling/reinstalling those updates. I bought my system several months back, and have installed 3 such updates (without problem):

KB888316
Update Rollup 2
KB908250

You might not have any of these updates, but it's worth checking in Control Panel>Add or Remove. Be sure to check the "Show updates" box at the top.
None of these were critical updates- they were optional, obtained by clicking on the "custom" button at the MSU site.

Windows General

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